Tuesday, September 15, 2009



Back to school always brings books to mind. Even with today's laptops, netbooks, Kindles, and smart phones...there is still nothing like the feel and smell of a book.

I would wager that everyone reading this post cherishes that time alone...at the end of the day or a day off...maybe the children have gone off to bed, the last touches on tomorrow's presentation are finished and you have your favorite book - glass of wine- and a comfortable chair with just the right reading light...it's just you and the book. You loose yourself in a tangled web of intrigue or walk with that teenager coming of age as you identify to your heart's content.

Books can take us away, they can instruct us...they even scold us at times. I don't what it is but there are certain authors that we follow because we know that their new book will fit us to a "T". Books have been with us since printing presses and even before...they will still be here...mark my words...even in the age of computer ink...because of that feel and the anticipation of turning that next page.

30 comments:

Sunny said...

You are right, there is nothing like the smell of a book. And the most mysterious books are those in the second row of the book case.

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...you are very insightful! The term mystery surrounds the old Library where these books were found. One more tease about this with tomorrow's post and then watch for the Halloween Post!

Dan

Heather said...

Very nice post, Dan. I like the format of the photos. They create that desire you've written about...to be alone and cozy, in the quiet hours with a really good book :)

Heather said...

Been away from the blog world for far too long - keep meaning to get caught up....

You KNOW this posts touches a special place in my heart. I can almost smell those books and feel the pages. :)

Dan Felstead said...

Vermont Heather...thanks...I always get in a "book" mood when the weather changes...it must be the "Old" back to school mode still kicking in!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Alabama Heather...
Welcome back! I know you love your Kendal...I put that in there for you! Still it is great to be able to hod that book and turn the page!

Dan

Sabrina said...

Ah, how I love books....

Dan Felstead said...

Sabrina...Now is the time to grab a book and put your feet up while your toe mends!

Dan

The Lly Dilettante said...

The first photo is so fantasy-like. Nice.

Sunny said...

There's nothing like a quiet moment with a good book.
I love old books, with beautiful bindings.
Sunny :)

Seeing another Sunny threw me for a minute, I didn't think I had commented on this post!

Anonymous said...

More incredible photos. I like them all, but the second one is my favorite. You have certainly set the mood with your words. Great post Dan.

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Lly...it is part of a very old bookcase in the Library.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...I didn't catch that either...when I saw the comment I thought it was from you. Now I realize who it is and it is someone who has been gone for a long time!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Tricia...that was one big book!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny...(the first comment)...I just realized who you are and welcome back from a long hiatus! It is good to hear from you again!

Dan

Anonymous said...

Books open worlds even the internet can't beat. Some may disagree but the human imagination far outweigh technology. I love your photographs of these relics. To curl up in a corner and hold a book in your hands is more inviting than the rigidity of a laptop or cell phone. A great post this is right on time because earlier today I ordered Poe's complete collection of his stories and poems!

Dan Felstead said...

Pura...I'm glad my timing was right! This is a good time of year to order Poe...alone in the corner on a gray day in October...reading the Pit and the Pendulum...the first Poe book I read.

Dan

septembermom said...

I worry about the trend to digitize books. I think future generations would lose a precious experience if they never really handled a book and turned a page. Great photos.

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...You bring up a great point. If we ever got to a point where there only was digital media...it could all be lost at the drop of a hat...computer glitch...cyber terror...it could also be manipulated without a trace. Although on the other side...the great Alexandrian library was burnt to the ground and so many ancient treasures were lost. Still I would put my money on the paper. But I also love audible.com...I'm rambling!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...You bring up a great point. If we ever got to a point where there only was digital media...it could all be lost at the drop of a hat...computer glitch...cyber terror...it could also be manipulated without a trace. Although on the other side...the great Alexandrian library was burnt to the ground and so many ancient treasures were lost. Still I would put my money on the paper. But I also love audible.com...I'm rambling!

Dan

DawnTreader said...

These pictures do inspire a mood for reading. Lately I've been listening to audio books more than turning pages... But I think the printed book will survive, too. In Sweden they say that even if bookshops now only keep the most popular books in store, people actually do buy more books than ever over the internet.

Back when I was a student in the 80s (here in Sweden), it was still a complicated procedure to order a book in a foreign language if it was not on the reading lists of current university courses. Now I can easily order almost any book on the internet and get it within a few days.

Dan Felstead said...

Dawn Treader...I am a big fan of Audible.com. They are great for traveling or when you are on the go. I downloaded Dan Brown's new book yesterday and started it last night. Looks like it is going to be another mystery/thriller like his others.

Dan

HightonRidley said...

Your treatment really suits these three images, Dan - I particularly like the middle one. Good to see you're "getting your eye in" with HDR.

Dan Felstead said...

Mark...thank you so much...you are the one I blame for this addiction! Anyway...thanks again fro getting me started.

Dan

aurbie said...

These are extremely well done. I feel like I have 3-D glasses on. Imagine if I did? Whoaaaa!

Dan Felstead said...

Patty thank you so much...I just put a pair on and it didn't help...sort of made me dizzy!

Dan

Cynthia L. H. said...

LOVE these photos, Dan!
Books are my life. I have my nose in one almost continually.
;^)
Just finished reading part of Chaucer's, "The Canterbury Tales" and Swift's "Gulliver's Travels". These were each written in early English history...yet they are still relevant. Where human nature is concerned...we are still the same.
Also, I like holding a book in my hand. I "bought" an online book for a summer class and ran into SO many problems that the others in class who had "real" books did not deal with.
;^)
Lesson learned.

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...you probably went to my blog and said"OMG...I can't even get away from books on a blog!"

Dan

Jean said...

top photo - that bookcase looks exactly like one in my living room right now. Late husband and I bought it from an Amish shop owner in Hartville, OH. He said it was hand made (obviously) in the mid-1800s.

Dan Felstead said...

Jean that is right on target as far as the date...the library was built mid 1800's.

Dan